Maumee Theater
Also known as: Maumee Indoor Theater
Why it's listed
Built in 1946 at the corner of Conant Street and the Anthony Wayne Trail (U.S. 24) in Maumee, Ohio, this 525-seat movie theater is a commercial example of Art Moderne design. Its steel-frame, concrete-block structure is covered in multicolored enameled metal tiles and topped by a lighted marquee and a tall floral-decorated parapet. Two small shops flank the entrance, including a barber shop that retains its original built-in furniture. Inside, curved wood partitions, colored cove lighting, gathered fabric wall coverings and balcony restrooms with arched brick entries remain largely intact. Rufus E. Young, a local theater operator, had the building constructed after plans from 1943 were delayed by the war. It is the only vintage theater left in Maumee and one of few built in the region in the postwar years. The nomination cites its bold streamlined styling and its role as a local landmark. The theater closed in 1996 and was sold the following year.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues it is a rare regional example of a postwar movie house in high-style Art Moderne, with a largely intact exterior and interior. It is the only vintage theater left in Maumee and one of few built in the region after the war. It also served as a local landmark and a symbol of postwar recovery.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 98000318, listed April 1, 1998. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 601 Conant St., Maumee |
|---|---|
| County | Lucas County |
| Listed | April 1, 1998 |
| Reference number | 98000318 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1946 |
| Architect / builder | Builder: Chappelear Const. Co., Sylvania, Ohio |
| Architectural style | Modern Movement/Moderne (Art Moderne) |
| Criteria |
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| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | The theater closed in December 1996 after a heating system failure and was sold at auction in January 1997; the new owner was studying reuse. The barber shop remains in operation and the north shop is vacant. |
| Acreage | 0.7 |
| Coordinates | 41.56475, -83.65531 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For an income-producing building, listing (individually or as a contributing building in a district) is the gateway to the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit on qualified rehabilitation costs, often stackable with state credits. Work claiming the credit must follow the Secretary of the Interior's Standards and be approved in advance.
Listing does not restrict a private owner acting without federal money or permits; where federal funding or licensing is involved, Section 106 review applies.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 98000318.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q43162496
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.